Big Clifty Breakdown: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score

Ryan Fraley has written a chart that swings hard without demanding virtuosity. The melody sticks, the rhythm section parts are genuinely musical (not just timekeeping), and the optional concert band parts mean you can program this even if your jazz ensemble roster is small. It's the kind of piece where students leave rehearsal wanting to play it again.

Funky, accessible, and genuinely fun to play. The swing feel sits easy in the pocket while the catchy melody makes students feel like they're playing real music, not an exercise.

Jazz ensembles at the developing level who need repertoire with immediate appeal and strong ensemble playing. This works equally well for groups building their first jazz program and for ensembles rotating through the FJH series.

• Lock the bass line and drums first. The hip quality of this chart lives entirely in the rhythm section pocket, so give that foundation your full attention before layering the horns.
• Bring out the melody without forcing it. At grade 2.5, these students can voice the tune naturally if you remind them it should groove, not soar.
• Use the optional parts strategically. Adding concert band instruments (specify which ones in your arrangement setup) thickens the texture beautifully in the full sections without overwhelming the chart's original balance.
• Listen for space in the ensemble sound. With modest ranges and catchy writing, clarity matters more than volume. Students will nail the chart if they can hear each other.

Program this early in your jazz ensemble season to build confidence and establish groove vocabulary, or use it as a contrast piece alongside more challenging swing arrangements. The optional concert band parts make it a smart choice for combined jazz and band concerts.

• swing phrasing and feel
• ensemble blend in close ranges
• rhythmic precision with a walking bass line
• reading lead sheets and conductor cues
• balancing melody and rhythm section support